Dean, Honors College

Position Details

Position Information

Announcement Number FAC - VA - 25053

For questions regarding this position, please contact :

Dean Adams at 406-994-6654 or deanadams@montana.edu

Julia Heard at 406-994-4373 orjheard@montana.edu

Classification Title

Working Title Dean, Honors College

Brief Position Overview

Montana State University invites applications, nominations and expressions of interest for the position of Dean of the Honors College

Faculty Tenure Track Yes

Faculty Rank Full Professor

Position Number 4B5179

Department Honors College

Division Honors College

Appointment Type Faculty

Contract Term Fiscal Year

Semester

If other, specify From date

If other, specify End date

Union Affiliation Exempt from Collective Bargaining

FTE 1.0

Benefits Eligible Eligible

Salary Salary commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications.

Contract Type MUS

If other, please specify

Recruitment Type Open

Position Details

General Statement

Montana State University invites applications, nominations and expressions of interest for the position of Dean of the Honors College.

The mission of the Honors College at Montana State University is to prepare academically motivated students to think critically and independently within a challenging and supportive community, by partnering with the other academic colleges, departments and programs at Montana State University.

Extending the dynamic energy that is at the core of all Honors classes, students engage in academic and co-curricular activities that further their personal and intellectual growth. Each academic year begins with a two-day excursion for incoming freshmen into the beautiful Hyalite Canyon, where students participate in hikes, book discussions, community building and faculty presentations.

Students are encouraged to participate in service opportunities on campus and in the community, many of which are made available through the Honors College. Special lectures and symposia are featured throughout the year.

The Honors College provides assistance and guidance to students applying for major national and international scholarships. Because of the support provided by the Honors College, MSU students enjoy an exceptional record of achieving prestigious awards, and many go on to pursue research grants and fellowships at top graduate, medical, veterinary and law schools.

Faculty and staff affiliated with the Honors College embrace Montana Sate’s land-grant mission and excel in all areas of teaching, research and outreach.

https : / / www.montana.edu / honors /

Duties and Responsibilities

Coordinate and manage daily operations in the Honors College

Contribute to ongoing program development

Represent the Honors College on key university committees and councils

Prepare “Text and Critics” syllabi, and teach Texts and Critics as needed

Provide academic advising and mentoring

Meet with campus visitors, including prospective students and parents

Manage and assist with major undergraduate / graduate fellowship applications

Lead the process of evaluating honors applicants

Manage the selection of faculty to teach Honors courses and seminars

Attend Academic Council and collaborate with other academic deans

Represent MSU and the Honors College in recruitment efforts and through meetings with donors

Represent and promote the Honors College on MSU Fridays and during MSU Student Orientations

Lead curriculum review, assessment and update efforts

Assist with grant writing

Lead the process for selecting students for the Presidential and Provost Scholars scholarships

Conduct performance evaluations assessing work in the college

Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

Ph.D. or equivalent terminal degree in an academic discipline

A broad-based record of administrative and scholarly experience in research university settings, with direct administrative experience for academic units, along with significant budget management experience

A strong ability to communicate effectively as exemplified by the candidate’s writing, speaking and listening skills

A demonstrated commitment to shared governance and collaborative leadership

The desire to share, support and successfully articulate the President’s / Provost’s vision for the strategic direction and administration of the University

Evidence of commitment to the land grant mission

Currently or previously employed in a tenured faculty position at a university with a record of scholarly achievements and academic teaching experience

Demonstrated commitment to teaching, research and service

Evidence of successful advising and / or mentoring of students

Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

In seeking its next dean, the Honors College will give preference to candidates who demonstrate :

Leadership skills that include experience in an academic program that offers baccalaureate and graduate degrees

Experience in effective strategic planning and assessment

Experience in dealing with multiple constituencies—internally and externally

A demonstrable record of developing external resources through fundraising, grants and contracts

A record of positive staff and personnel relations and interactions

A creative and approachable manner that kindles the innovative spirit of others

Evidence of leading transformational change

Demonstrated accomplishments in innovative partnerships

A strong team player in terms of university governance

Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders at the university, state and national level

A broad understanding of the philosophy and challenges of a land-grant university, and an appreciation for rural culture and values.

The Successful Candidate Will

Have effective interpersonal skills including the ability to collaborate successfully with faculty, staff and students.

Have a demonstrated ability and desire to work across academic disciplines.

Have excellent written and oral communication skills.

Demonstrate the ability to build innovative teaching, research and outreach programs.

Work productively in a team-oriented environment.

Maintain effective attention to detail, meet deadlines and prioritize competing demands.

Display an aptitude for problem solving and facilitating the work of others.

Possess the ability to provide leadership and take responsibility for organizational and program activities related to the Honors College.

Take initiative and work well independently.

Be skilled at prioritizing, organizing and working on multiple projects.

Maintain confidentiality of records and information.

Position Special Requirements / Additional Information

This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Physical Demands

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed in this description are representative of the knowledge, skill, and / or ability required.

The Program

Honors College Program Learning Outcomes :

Integration : Honors students will be able to integrate concepts and methodologies from multiple disciplines and diverse viewpoints in Honors seminars

Research : Honors students will engage in research, using appropriate disciplinary and scholarly skills, resulting in a senior thesis

Critical thinking : Honors students will continually develop their ability to think critically and independently by actively engaging in discussions of complex issues throughout the Honors curriculum

Communication : Honors students will communicate clearly and precisely in multiple formats including written prose, verbal exposition, and audio / visual projects

Community Engagement : Honors students will engage in activities that promote civic mindedness, global citizenship and the stewardship of our natural environment.

The Department

The mission of the Honors College at Montana State University is to prepare academically motivated students to think critically and independently within a challenging and supportive community, by partnering with all other colleges, departments, and programs at the university.

The Honors College fosters excellence in undergraduate education through the integration of studies in the sciences, arts and humanities and through undergraduate research. As lifelong learners, Honors students will continually develop their critical thinking skills along with their ability to articulate and respect diverse viewpoints, as future leaders dedicated to serving and improving our state and our world.

The Honors College supports an inclusive learning environment where diversity and individual differences are understood, respected, appreciated, and recognized as a source of strength.

The College

Founded in 1893 as a Land Grant University, Montana State University ( MSU ) is composed of eight academic colleges and a graduate school and boasts a friendly, supportive faculty and campus environment. Currently, the University hosts an enrollment of over 16,000 students.

MSU is located in Bozeman, Montana, an extended community of about 75,000 nestled in the Rocky Mountains in Southwest Montana. In addition to providing access to an extraordinary ecosystem for teaching and research programs, Bozeman is renowned for year-round recreational and cultural opportunities to include access to world class ski areas, multiple blue ribbon trout streams and the Gallatin National Forest. The local airport is served by six airlines with over thirty flights a day.

Named an All American City, Bozeman boasts high-quality medical facilities, a very low crime rate, many fine restaurants, acclaimed public and private schools, a symphony orchestra and choir, opera and ballet companies, and nationally known events such as the Sweet Pea Festival of the Arts held in early August of each year. Powder Magazine identified Bozeman, with “three distinctly different” major ski resorts within an hour’s drive, as the number one place to live and ski in its November 2010 Magazine. Bizjournals.com ranked Bozeman #2 on the list of American Dream towns – small towns that offer the best quality of life without metropolitan hassles. The K-12 educational system, growing reputation of Montana State University, and pristine natural environment of the area combine to make Bozeman one of America’s most desirable university towns. Bozeman is located in the beautiful Gallatin Valley, 90 miles north of Yellowstone National Park.

Posting Detail Information

Number of Vacancies 1

Desired Start Date Upon successful completion of search

Position End Date (if temporary)

Open Date

Close Date

Applications will be :

• Screening of applications will begin on January 1, 2025 ; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.

Special Instructions

EEO Statement

Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.

In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference, please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.